The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-14
THE IRISH CRIMES BILL.
Continuation of the Debate in the Com
1nons-Tauntinc Remarks by Balfour.

Continuation of the Debate in the Com
nons-Tauntinc Remarks by Baifour.
LospoN, May 13.-In the House of Commons,
Mr.. Edward S. Norris, Conservative member
for Lime House (Tower Hamlets). asked the
government whether. after the passage OF the
coercion bill, they would consider the recon-
mendation of the Queen that on the occasion of
the celebration of her jubilee general amnesty
be given to agrarian prisoners in Ireland not
guilty also, of offenses involving personal vio-
lence.
Mr.. W. II. Smith. First Lord of the Treasury,
said the government not in position to
engage in such amnesty.
Mr.. Healy. in order to meet the of Ulster,
moved as an amendment to the crimes bill. that
inquiry must be directed into of crime,
whether in a proclaimed district not, upon
sworn Information by the injured party.
Mr.. Holmes, Attorney general for Ireland,
repudiated the amendment unnecessary.
Mr. Healy challenged Mr.. Holmes to rnevtion
a single instance of an Orangenan having been
hanged for the murder of Catholic.
Mr. Holmes said he was glad of the opportu-
nifty afforded him to explain his reason for say
ing the blood of Gifen would De On the head of
Earl Spencer Earl Spencer knew that rival
Nationalist and Orange meetings
nounced to be held in Dromore the same day
that they ought to be prohibited. and therefore
he (Holmesl maintained that the expression was
lustifiabe.
Sir William Vernon -Harcourt reproached
Holmes with reiteratng expression intended
to infiame party passion.
Mr.. Balfour said the last speaker need not fear
that the example of Holmes would have any in
furious effect upon the gentlemen below the
gangway, and tauntingly asked whether the op-
position would support amendment extending
to unprecedented districts the operation of the
clause which they were now opposing, word by
word.
Mr.. Gladstone said he marveled at Balfours
wishing peaceful close of the discussion. after
doing everything he could to exasperate passion
He (Gladstone) heard Holiness speech with the
greatest regret. 1t appeared to him that Holmes
said one thing in Parliament and another thing
in Ireland.
The Chairman (interrupting gl-Order. order.
The discussion is travelling wide of the subject.
think the matter should drop
Mr.. Gladstone resumed his seat, after express
ing regret that Balfour had chosen to prolong
the discussion. The amendment was withdrawn
MIR. Lockwood, Liberal. moved an amend
menL with the object of limiting the operation
of the clause to the most serious offenses.
Attorney general Webster said the govern
ment was unable to accept the amendment. If
any one offense was worse than another, against
which the clause was directed, it was conspiracy
to bovcott
T. p O'Connor said that the government had
that the most stringent powers of the bill had
for their object the suppression of boycottng.
Sir Wm Vernon Harcounr pointed out that
there was no such provision in the bill Of 1882
and said he would draw the attention of the
House to the seriousness of giving power to in
quire into such vague, indefinite offense.
The amendment was rejected by vote of 257
to 170.